Thinking of splitting Blu-ray player HDMI feed

[Hutchinshouse]

I'm thinking of splitting my HDMI feed from my Blu-ray player (Samsung BD-P2550). One feed to my TV, other feed to my A/V receiver. Right now I have to turn on the A/V receiver in order to use my Blu-ray player. My goal is to have the option to watch a Blu-ray (or Netflix stream) using the TV's built-in speakers (without turning on the A/V receiver or using pass-through mode). Obviously I also want to retain the 7.1 PCM lossless audio feed to my A/V receiver. My kids watch SpongeBob via Netflix streaming. I see no reason to power up my A/V receiver for SpongeBob. :D Anyhow....

I'm looking to buy something like this: http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10113&cs_id=1011303&p_id=2522&seq=1&format=1#largeimage

Before doing so I have a few questions. Anyone else doing this successfully? Any issues with handshaking, video/audio dropouts? I know we're talking zeros and ones, however, will a splitter degrade the video/audio quality? FYI - I'd be using two 6' HDMI cables. Length should not be an issue.

[dave29]

I don't know if that will work, but I use a Matrix switch for what you want to do.

Directv receiver, BD player, HD DVD player, HTPC, all go to the matrix switch and then it has 2 outputs. 1 goes to my TV and the other goes to my AVR.

Works great.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10110&cs_id=1011002&p_id=5312&seq=1&format=2

[Chris Blount]

I have a 3X2 matrix switch myself. Highly recommended! Don't mess with splitters like that.

[spartanstew]

You could also hook up the Samsung to the TV via component video and stereo audio for Sponge bob streaming.

[Hutchinshouse]

You could also hook up the Samsung to the TV via component video and stereo audio for Sponge bob streaming.

Dude, you're a genius. Great idea!

I'll look at the 3X2 matrix too.


Thanks to all.

[Ashtonian]

It's digital, so the term "degrade does not apply"
Like OTA it either works or it doesn't.

[Chris Blount]

It's digital, so the term "degrade does not apply"
Like OTA it either works or it doesn't.
Yes that's true but the problem with HDMI is handshaking between two components. When using a splitter, the results can be quite messy.

[Jason Nipp]

I have a 3X2 matrix switch myself. Highly recommended! Don't mess with splitters like that.
Agree! Especially since HDMI 1.3 is bi-directional. Don't know if this would mess with EDID or not.